The Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op. 13, is an important milestone, not only in Beethoven's piano sonatas but also in the development of the keyboard sonata. It is dramatic and emotional to the extent seldom approached by composers of the day as suggested by the term "pathtique" attached to the title of the first edition. Dr. Stewart Gordons editions of Beethoven's most popular piano sonatas provide the key to a stylistic performance. Thorough research of the earliest available sources has enabled Dr. Gordon to produce the most accurate reflection of the composers intent. Each sonata contains helpful fingering suggestions and performance recommendations. Other editors conclusions are noted where performance options are open to interpretation.

Excerpt: ...I afterwards took him sharply to task for this; I gave him no quarter, and upbraided him with all his sins, especially towards you, my dear friend, as we had just been speaking of you. Heavens if I could have lived with you as he did, believe me I should have produced far greater things. A musician is also a poet, he too can feel himself transported into a brighter world by a pair of fine eyes, where loftier spirits sport with him and impose heavy tasks on him. What thoughts rushed into my mind when I first saw you in the Observatory during a refreshing May shower, so fertilizing to me also 2 The most beautiful themes stole from your eyes into my heart, which shall yet enchant the world when Beethoven no longer directs. If God vouchsafes to grant me a few more years of life, I must then see you once more, my dear, most dear friend, for the voice within, to which I always listen, demands this. Spirits may love one another, and I shall ever woo yours. Your approval is dearer to me than all else in the world. I told Goethe my sentiments as to the influence praise has over men like us, and that we desire our equals to listen to us with their understanding. Emotion suits women only; (forgive me ) music ought to strike fire from the soul of a man. Ah my dear girl, how long have our feelings been identical on all points The sole real good is some bright kindly spirit to sympathize with us, whom we thoroughly comprehend, and from whom we need not hide our thoughts. He who wishes to appear something, must in reality be something. The world must acknowledge us, it is not always unjust; but for this I care not, having a higher purpose in view. I hope to get a letter from you in Vienna; write to me soon and fully, for a week hence I shall be there. The Court leaves this to-morrow, and to-day they have another performance. The Empress has studied her part thoroughly. The Emperor and the Duke wished me to play some of my own music, but I refused, for they...

Music examples and charts illustrate the analyses, and each essay is fully annotated by the editor. In some cases, the results of the original research by the editor or by others working in the field are published here for the first time. Much of the material has never before appeared in English.

A score embodying the best available musical text.

Historical background what is known of the circumstances surrounding the origins of the work, including (where relevant) original source material.

A detailed analysis of the music, by the editor of the volume or another well-known scholar.

Other significant analytic essays and critical comments, exposing the student to a variety of opinions about the music."

All 21 sets of Beethoven's variations, including the Diabelli Variations, Op. 120, Thirty-Two Variations in C Minor, the Eroica Variations, Op. 35, plus variations on themes by Dressler, Salieri, Sussmayr, Righini, other composers. Reprinted from the authoritative Breitkopf & Härtel edition.

Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, Op. 27, No. 2 is among the most popular and most frequently performed compositions by any great composer. Reflecting the depth of Beethoven's musical power, the Moonlight Sonata is one of the best-loved sonatas Beethoven ever composed. In this Belwin Classic Library edition, each page of the music is spaciously laid out, meticulous and uncluttered, with clear, clean engraving. All three movements are included: I. Adagio sostenuto, II. Allegretto, and III. Presto agitato.

(Piano). For the first time, all five of Beethoven's piano concertos are brought together in one inexpensive and convenient publication. Includes Kullak's original prefaces, several alternate cadenzas, and performance suggestions.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was a prolific letter writer. Often written in great haste - he regularly signed off 'in der Eile' - his correspondence allows us to follow his anxieties and preoccupations. From his first letter, written at the age of thirteen, wherein he declared his lifelong commitment to the craft of music, through the poignant 'Heiligenstadt Testament', up to the final codicil to his will, these documents reveal the human figure behind some of the greatest music ever written. In this two-volume English translation of 1909, John South Shedlock (1843-1919) retains as far as possible the idiosyncratic and error-ridden texts as written by the great composer. Volume 1 covers the years to 1816, and includes the heartbreaking unsent 1802 letter to his brothers in which Beethoven reveals his misery over his increasing deafness and his determination to overcome his physical and emotional weaknesses.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was a prolific letter writer. Often written in great haste - he regularly signed off 'in der Eile' - his correspondence allows us to follow his anxieties and preoccupations. From his first letter, written at the age of thirteen, wherein he declared his lifelong commitment to the craft of music, through the poignant 'Heiligenstadt Testament', up to the final codicil to his will, these documents reveal the human figure behind some of the greatest music ever written. In this two-volume English translation of 1909, John South Shedlock (1843-1919) retains as far as possible the idiosyncratic and error-ridden texts as written by the great composer. Spanning the period 1816-27, Volume 2 finds Beethoven concerned over his financial situation and the poor printing of his music, and includes the final codicil to his will, written just three days before his death.

Excerpt: ...I afterwards took him sharply to task for this; I gave him no quarter, and upbraided him with all his sins, especially towards you, my dear friend, as we had just been speaking of you. Heavens if I could have lived with you as he did, believe me I should have produced far greater things. A musician is also a poet, he too can feel himself transported into a brighter world by a pair of fine eyes, where loftier spirits sport with him and impose heavy tasks on him. What thoughts rushed into my mind when I first saw you in the Observatory during a refreshing May shower, so fertilizing to me also 2 The most beautiful themes stole from your eyes into my heart, which shall yet enchant the world when Beethoven no longer directs. If God vouchsafes to grant me a few more years of life, I must then see you once more, my dear, most dear friend, for the voice within, to which I always listen, demands this. Spirits may love one another, and I shall ever woo yours. Your approval is dearer to me than all else in the world. I told Goethe my sentiments as to the influence praise has over men like us, and that we desire our equals to listen to us with their understanding. Emotion suits women only; (forgive me ) music ought to strike fire from the soul of a man. Ah my dear girl, how long have our feelings been identical on all points The sole real good is some bright kindly spirit to sympathize with us, whom we thoroughly comprehend, and from whom we need not hide our thoughts. He who wishes to appear something, must in reality be something. The world must acknowledge us, it is not always unjust; but for this I care not, having a higher purpose in view. I hope to get a letter from you in Vienna; write to me soon and fully, for a week hence I shall be there. The Court leaves this to-morrow, and to-day they have another performance. The Empress has studied her part thoroughly. The Emperor and the Duke wished me to play some of my own music, but I refused, for they...

Excerpt: ...I afterwards took him sharply to task for this; I gave him no quarter, and upbraided him with all his sins, especially towards you, my dear friend, as we had just been speaking of you. Heavens if I could have lived with you as he did, believe me I should have produced far greater things. A musician is also a poet, he too can feel himself transported into a brighter world by a pair of fine eyes, where loftier spirits sport with him and impose heavy tasks on him. What thoughts rushed into my mind when I first saw you in the Observatory during a refreshing May shower, so fertilizing to me also 2 The most beautiful themes stole from your eyes into my heart, which shall yet enchant the world when Beethoven no longer directs. If God vouchsafes to grant me a few more years of life, I must then see you once more, my dear, most dear friend, for the voice within, to which I always listen, demands this. Spirits may love one another, and I shall ever woo yours. Your approval is dearer to me than all else in the world. I told Goethe my sentiments as to the influence praise has over men like us, and that we desire our equals to listen to us with their understanding. Emotion suits women only; (forgive me ) music ought to strike fire from the soul of a man. Ah my dear girl, how long have our feelings been identical on all points The sole real good is some bright kindly spirit to sympathize with us, whom we thoroughly comprehend, and from whom we need not hide our thoughts. He who wishes to appear something, must in reality be something. The world must acknowledge us, it is not always unjust; but for this I care not, having a higher purpose in view. I hope to get a letter from you in Vienna; write to me soon and fully, for a week hence I shall be there. The Court leaves this to-morrow, and to-day they have another performance. The Empress has studied her part thoroughly. The Emperor and the Duke wished me to play some of my own music, but I refused, for they...

(Schirmer Performance Editions). Schirmer Performance Editions are designed for piano students and their teachers as well as for professional pianists. Pedagogical in nature, these editions offer insightful interpretive suggestions, pertinent fingering, and historical and stylistic commentary. Prepared by renowned artists/teachers, these publications provide an accurate, well-informed score resource for pianists. Beethoven composed 24 bagatelles by definition short trifles in a light vein during his lifetime. This collection contains 14 pieces, including the famous "Fur Elise," which are appropriate for intermediate to early advanced pianists.

(Piano Collection). This affordable and convenient collection features sonatas, variations, sonatinas, bagatelles, and more from one of the most reveredcomposers of all time. Includes: Sonata in C minor "Pathetique," Op. 13 * Sonata in C-sharp minor (Quasi una Fantasia) "Moonlight," Op. 27, No. 2 * Fur Elise * Six Variations on the Duet "Nel cor piu non mi sento" * Adieu to the Piano * Rondo a Capriccio in Hungarian Style, "Rage Over a Lost Penny," Op. 129 * and more. Includes a total of 10 sonatas, 3 variations, 4 sonatinas, 10 bagatelles, and 8 other pieces.

Superb authoritative German editions (Henry Litolff's Verlag) of Symphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 21; Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36; Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major ("Eroica"), Op. 55; and Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, Op. 60. Finest inexpensive full-score editions. Lists of instruments.

Vladimir Fedoseyev conducts the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra in performances of Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 and and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6. The concert was recorded in 2005 at the Wiener Musikverein.